Rumours of a possible groundshare between West Ham United and Chelsea at the Olympic Stadium have resurfaced this week.
Fans walking outside the London Stadium
The Hammers have endured a torrid first season at their new 60,000 seater home on and off the pitch with the club sat 14th in the Premier League and potentially facing being dragged into a relegation dogfight.
Trouble on the terraces, poor recruitment, lack of investment and ultimately the team’s failure to live up to last season’s high standards have left morale at a low in East London.
The majority of supporters have started to turn on co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold and vice-chairman Karren Brady.
So when talk of a potential groundshare with champions-elect and bitter London rivals Chelsea resurfaced in the likes of The Times this week it did little to brighten the mood of West Ham supporters.
The report says Chelsea have held renewed talks with the Hammers over the potential groundshare at the officially named London Stadium while Stamford Bridge is redeveloped.
The Times claims Chelsea would prefer to play home matches at Wembley during the three years when their new stadium is being built, but they have exhaustively researched other grounds within the M25 in case they are unable to reach an agreement with the FA and the London Stadium has emerged as the only credible alternative.
West Ham United vice chairman Karren Brady
Hammers fans are understandably far from keen and they will take little solace from the welcoming nature of Karren Brady’s comments on groundsharing with the Blues from this time last year.
Brady told The Sun last May: “Chelsea asked to come and have a look at our new home and I showed their people around. They commented it was one of the best football stadia in the world and that’s because it is.
“I have very good relations with Chelsea and, yes, they have enquired about a ground share in 2018.
“Any final decision on letting the Blues move in will be ours and not the London Legacy Development Corporation’s, or indeed Chelsea.”
General view outside the stadium
West Ham’s rental agreement with the LLDC does allow for another club to rent the Olympic Stadium, however the Hammers would have to agree to any such proposal.
With Chelsea looking formidable under new boss Antonio Conte there is the very real possibility that the first trophy to be won at the London Stadium would be lifted by West Ham’s bitter rivals.
If that happens Brady and co would have burned all their remaining bridges with the club’s disgruntled supporters.
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